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Rearranging?

How much time do you spend shifting piles from one side of the desk to another?

Does it take longer to get ready to do something than to actually do the thing?

Have you ever spent the whole day “organizing” and have it all feel even more overwhelming the next day?

These are all signs of REARRANGING. The shifting of piles only creates temporary space and often will take much longer to process later. That is because as messy as it is, we remember the first place we put something, and now you have moved it and it is next to different items. That means, it takes a few seconds to even recognize the thing, and then to remember why you have it.

I do an experiment with some of my clients. They tell me they know what is in a pile. I flip it over and pull a piece from the middle. Usually the first thing I notice is the horror on their faces. Then the confusion as they realize they have no idea how that got there. I know. It was REARRANGING.

Rearranging gives you a quick feeling of accomplishment but it won’t last. Without a plan, there is nowhere for the newly sorted items to go. So here is a simple way to plan – a new way to think about sorting your piles.

1. Define your spaces. By simply saying out loud that this is the area that “insert your item here” will live you have a place to send those items to at the end of a sorting session. Start with defining the room then each closet, piece of furniture, shelf and drawer in that room.

This map will save you so much time, even if things change and evolve as you go. Sometimes you will need to shift a location because of shape or size. That is alright, just remember to say out loud the new place, because that will help you remember where it goes.

2. Replenishment theory is a way of thinking about where to keep things. Basically, it is like creating little stores within your space so you can replenish your stock when you run out of something. It is not the same thing as storing things for the end of the world. It is about creating the space to work or relax.

Keep one of each desk tool on the desk and the backups in the supply area. When your highlighter goes dry, put it in the trash, go to the supply area and grab a new one. When you grab the last one, put it on your shopping list for the next time you are at the store. Easy.

3. Put your toys away. All you will ever do is REARRANGE, until you get in the habit of picking up after yourself. There are no organizing fairies to do it for you. If you don’t put your things away, you can’t watch TV. Really, because you are in charge, it just means that you will still be staring at the mess tomorrow.

The good news is that now that you know where things go, it is much easier to pick up. It will only take a few minutes a day once the places are defined. As you are working to get the places defined, return items to as close as you can get them. Work on maintaining each area as it is set up and incorporate new areas as you go.

Now you know the secret to stop REARRANGING and to creating long lasting order. I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you.

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About Miriam

I'm Miriam Ortiz y Pino, Certified Professional Organizer, and Simplicity Expert. I help you ensure that what needs doing gets done. I create simple systems that are easy to implement and work FOR you, instead of you working a system.

Whether you're struggling to organize your life, declutter your home, manage your time, get control of your papers, or just feel overwhelmed and frustrated with all your stuff, I will work with you to create the environment you need to live your best life.

You CAN gain control over your time, stuff and space. And I'd love to show you how.